Over 75 teams are expected to compete in the most consistent longstanding football competition in the country, the Eddie Hart League for Football, which took off on Sunday with a parade of teams and a host of exhibition matches.
It was Trincity Nationals, the defending champions in the Under-17, U- 21, U-23 and the Women’s Division, which took the March Past, scrutinised by Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Dookeran, and former national cricketer Alec Burns, before taking 1-1 draws in the U-21 and the Women’s exhibition matches, El Dorado East and Real Dimension, respectively.
Outstanding players of the Women’s League Football 2012 competition, Jonelle Warrick and Alania Burgin got the goals for Trincity and Real Dimension in that order.
Rashad Griffith scored for Trincity in the U-21 exhibition encounter, with Kerdel Niles getting the equaliser for El Dorado.
The opening of the $200,000, seven-division tournament was held at the Eddie Hart Ground, Tacarigua, with Sparta FC and Pacemakers, finishing in second and third, respectively in the 27-club March Past opening.
San Juan Jabloteh, recorded a 2-1 victory over Trendsetter Hawks in the U-13 exhibition match. The featured exhibition exchange between MAASH International and Paradise from the Premier Division competition, scheduled for the final event of the day did not play.
After inspecting the parade of teams, Minister Dookeran, speaking to the hundreds of spectators, lauded the effort of former PNM Member of Parliament (MP) for Tunapuna, and founder of the league Edward “Eddie” Hart, who continued to keep the league afloat. “This is no fly by night occasion. This (the league) has a solid foundation.
This is the foundation that has provided the nation with character building,” said the former Minister of Finance. Dookeran also used the occasion to congratulate the members of T&T’s Olympic team, in particular javelin athlete Keshorn Walcott, who brought home the country’s first gold medal in 36 years, as well as to join the country in celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr.
“I think it was appropriate that little Trinidad and Tobago was able to perform so magnificently. Many large countries in the world did not win a gold medal but little Trinidad and Tobago was able to do so and we must be proud… So I would like to join in the congratulations”.
Fixtures for the all divisions are expected to be released this week. Action in the league will kick off this weekend, with the exception of the Women’s Division. Funding of the league is being assisted by the Sport Company of T&T and the Ministry of Sport.
Prize Structure [Premier Division League]
First- $50,000 and Trophy
Second- $20,000
Third- $15,000 and 20 bronze
Fourth- $10,000
Fifth to Eighth- $5,000 each
Knockout
First- $10,000, trophy and 20 gold medals
Second- $5,000 and 20 silver medals
U-23 Division [League]
1st- $10,000, trophy and 20 gold medals
2nd- $6,000 and 20 silver medals
3rd- 4,000 and 20 bronze medals
4th- $2,000
Knockout
1st- $5,000, trophy and 20 gold medals
2nd- $3,000 and 20 silver medals
U-21 Division [League]
1st- $10,000, trophy and 20 gold medals
2nd- $6,000 and 20 silver medals
3rd- $4,000 and 20 bronze medals
4th- $2,000
Knock-out
1st- $5,000, trophy and 20 gold medals
2nd- $3,000 and 20 silver medals
U-17 Division [League]
1st- $8,000, trophy and 20 gold medals
2nd- $4,000 and 20 silver medals
3rd- $3,000 and 20 gold medals
Knockout
1st- $3,000, trophy and 20 gold medals
2nd- $2,000 and 20 silver medals
U-15 Division [League]
1st- $6,000, trophy and 20 gold medals
2nd- $4,000 and 20 silver medals
3rd- $3,000 and 20 bronze medals
Knockout
1st- $3,000, trophy and 20 gold medals
2nd- $1,000 and 20 silver medals
U-13 Division [League]
1st-$5,000, trophy and 20 gold medals
2nd- $3,000 and 20 silver medals
3rd- $2,000 and 20 bronze medals
Knockout
1st- $2,000, trophy and 20 gold medals
2nd- $1,000 and 20 silver medals
Women’s Division League
1st- $10,000, trophy and 20 gold medals
2nd- $6,000 and 20 silver medals
3rd- $3,000 and 20 bronze medals
Knockout
1st- $6,000, trophy and 20 gold medals
2nd- $3,000 and 20 silver medals